Some calling for cabbie code of conduct in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A complaint that a cab driver has been "flipping the bird" to another in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is one reason some in the business have been calling for a code of conduct.

The Portsmouth Herald reports a driver's letter read at Monday's meeting of the city Taxi Commission said he filed a complaint about a competitor alleging he's operating a cab without a medallion. Since then, he said, the competitor has been displaying his middle finger when they pass; he said his passengers find it offensive.

The competitor, John Palreiro, said he doesn't "flip the bird" — he scratches his nose a lot because of dry skin.

In another complaint, another cab driver complained a competitor slandered her company at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the C&J bus terminal.